How To Create an Amazon KDP Paperback

Introduction.

Publishing a book is no longer just a dream for the few—it’s an achievable reality for almost anyone willing to put in the work.

Thanks to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you can take your manuscript and turn it into a polished paperback without traditional publishing.

Self-publishing on KDP gives you control over everything, from the book’s cover design to the pricing, and it’s a fast, user-friendly way to get your work into readers’ hands.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating a paperback through Amazon KDP. From setting up your KDP account to formatting your manuscript, we’ll cover all the basics.

If you’re feeling nervous about whether self-publishing is right for you, I’ll break down the pros and cons so you can make an informed choice.

If you still have questions, I’ve added a FAQ section at the end to answer some common questions about KDP.

Why Amazon KDP?

Amazon KDP has become the most popular self-publishing platform for a few reasons. Amazon has a massive reach, and KDP makes it easy to publish both eBooks and paperbacks in a way that’s affordable, accessible, and surprisingly fast. When you publish on KDP, your book becomes available to millions of Amazon customers around the world, potentially giving it instant visibility.

Amazon KDP offers two main benefits:

Control over Your Work: From the content to the design, you decide how your book will look and how much you’ll earn from each sale.
Low to No Upfront Costs: Amazon KDP doesn’t charge you upfront for publishing your book. Instead, it takes a small percentage of each sale, meaning you can start publishing with minimal financial risk.

That being said, KDP has its challenges, and self-publishing isn’t for everyone. But for those with an entrepreneurial spirit and a story to tell, KDP opens the door to success.

How Do I Create an Amazon KDP Paperback?

1. Set Up Your KDP Account.

First, head to the Amazon KDP website and sign in with your Amazon account. If you don’t already have an Amazon account, you’ll need to create one.

Once logged in, you can start by setting up your account details, including tax information and bank details for receiving royalties.

2. Choose Your Book’s Category and Keywords.

Choosing the right category and keywords is essential because they impact how readers will find your book. For instance, a book on “Meditation for Beginners” should be categorized under “Health & Wellness” rather than something like “Fiction.”

Keywords also play a role in helping readers discover your book. You get seven slots for keywords, so think about words that describe your book and topics readers might search for.

3. Format Your Manuscript.

Formatting your manuscript for a paperback is a bit different from an eBook. KDP provides templates, but if you’re unfamiliar with formatting, you may want to use Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a specialized tool like Scrivener or Vellum for book formatting. Make sure you:

Set appropriate margins and line spacing.
Choose a font that’s easy to read.
Add page numbers and headers.

You can also use the KDP Preview tool to make sure everything looks right before hitting “publish.”

4. Design Your Cover.

KDP offers a Cover Creator tool, which can be helpful if you don’t have design skills or a budget to hire a designer.

You can upload your cover or use KDP’s templates, which allow you to customize things like colours, fonts, and images.

Remember, the cover is the first thing readers see, so it’s worth spending time to make sure it looks professional.

5. Set Your Pricing and Royalty Options.

KDP lets you set your book’s list price and choose your royalty plan. For paperbacks, you can earn up to 60% royalty per sale, depending on your chosen territories and price.

It’s a good idea to research similar books in your genre to determine a competitive price point.

6. Preview and Publish Your Paperback.

Once everything is set up, KDP lets you preview your book with its online preview tool. This step is crucial because it lets you see exactly what the book will look like in print.

After reviewing and confirming, hit “Publish.” Within 24 to 72 hours, Amazon will review your book and, if everything is in order, make it live on their platform.

Pros and Cons of Publishing on Amazon KDP

Pros

Control and Flexibility: You make all the creative decisions, from pricing to cover design.
Wide Reach: Your book is available to millions of Amazon shoppers globally.
No Upfront Costs: You don’t need to pay anything to publish. Amazon only takes a percentage of each sale.

Cons

Marketing Falls on You: Unlike traditional publishing, Amazon won’t promote your book. You’re responsible for getting the word out.
Competition: The number of self-published books on Amazon grows daily, so standing out can be challenging.
Lower Royalties for Paperbacks: Although KDP gives decent royalties, physical books yield less than eBooks due to printing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions about KDP Publishing

Q1: Do I need an ISBN to publish on KDP?

No, Amazon provides a free ISBN if you don’t have one, though you can also use your own if you prefer.

Q2: How long does it take for my book to appear on Amazon after I publish?

Usually, it takes between 24 and 72 hours, but in some cases, it may take a bit longer.

Q3: Can I publish a hardcover book through Amazon KDP?

Yes! KDP now offers an option to publish hardcovers, though it’s still in beta, so some features are limited compared to paperback publishing.

Q4: Is Amazon KDP the best platform for self-publishing?

While it’s incredibly popular and user-friendly, other platforms like IngramSpark and Lulu can offer advantages like broader distribution, especially for physical bookstores.